Thomas Graham Feminella

Thomas Graham Feminella, 30, of Fort Myers, Florida, died on May 22, 2025, in Bartlett, Tennessee, during a psychiatric emergency. He was a gifted builder, inventive thinker, and fiercely curious soul whose life was marked by both extraordinary talent and, later, extraordinary challenges. Born in 1995, Thomas displayed an early fascination with how things worked. As a child, he began designing and constructing creations that combined his sharp intellect with hands-on skill: a potato launcher, a functioning hovercraft, and a self-balancing motorized unicycle were just a few of his many projects. As he grew, so did the ambition and creativity of his work, ranging from an underwater diving helmet to a remote-controlled beer retriever, to a wearable, air-conditioned "glamping suit" designed for summer camping. He was a licensed private pilot and certified SCUBA diver. He spent his free time sailing, building, experimenting, and improving whatever he could get his hands on-boats, lawn mowers, Halloween costumes, even inner tube river floats. If something didn't exist, Thomas tried to invent it. He graduated with highest honors from Gateway Charter High School in 2013 and earned a degree in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida in 2017. During college, he interned at Lockheed Martin for two years before working there full-time as a financial analyst. Those who knew Thomas remember his originality, insightfulness, and subtle wit. He had a special place in his heart for animals, leaving behind his beloved cat, Linus. Thomas also gave generously of his time, volunteering with organizations like the Harry Chapin Food Bank and the Calusa Nature Center. Thomas was diagnosed with schizophrenia in early adulthood, a condition that profoundly affected the last five years of his short life. The path was not easy for him, but he met these challenges with courage and resilience. His death, which occurred during a psychiatric emergency, is a heartbreaking reminder of how urgently we need better systems of mental health care-care that is humane, accessible, and equipped to support individuals living with serious mental illness and those who care for them. Thomas was preceded in death by his grandparents, Bettye P. Lott, Graham Lott, Lucille P. Feminella, and Joseph C. Feminella. He is survived by his parents, Catherine L. Feminella and Thomas Feminella; his sister, Sara E. Feminella; and his half-brother, Joseph A. Feminella. He is also survived by his aunt and uncle, Jean L. Bedwell and Jeffrey Bedwell; his aunt, Mary Beth Lott; and his cousins, Victoria Elyse Maley and Wesley M. Bedwell. Thomas's family is devastated by his loss and will carry his memory with enduring love and pride. In lieu of flowers, donations in Thomas's memory can be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness: https://namilee.org/get-involved/donate/.